Collapsible table for toy trains



1952 s; DE MATTHAEIS, JR ,6 37

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE FOR TOY TRAINS Filed Dec. 12, 1950 2 Sl'lEETS SHEET 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 50 3 INVENTO; 2 24 '23! W Nov. 18, 1952 b5 M T JR 2,618,437

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE FOR TOY TRAINS Filed Dec. 12, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE TABLE FOR TOY TRAINS Serafino De Matthaeis, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Application December 12, 1950, Serial No. 200,335

2 Claims.

The object of this invention is to devise a novel collapsible track unit for toy trains which will enable one to fold the unit into a relatively small package with all of the component parts in the package so that the unit will occupy a minimum of space for storage.

A further object of the invention is to devise a novel construction and arrangement of tables which can be selectively connected to provide a desired form of tracks, and which are adapted toreceive the train and electrical controlling parts such as switches and transformer and electrical connections.

A further object is to provide novel means for locking together adjacent ends of tracks on the different tables.

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will hereinafter clearly appear, my invention comprehends a novel collapsible track unit.

It further comprehends a novel unit having a novel arrangement and construction of tables; novel means for hinging them together; and novel means for providing the proper electrical connections between sections of tracks.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of it which I have found, in practice, to give satisfactory and reliable results. It is, however, to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and the invention is not limited to the exact arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities except by the scope of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a collapsible track unit, embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of two tables of the unit in a folded condition.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing two hinged tables and electrical track connections in open condition of the circuit.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View of two tables with the electrical track connections in circuit closing position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section showing more particularly circuit controlling mechanism.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a track unit having intermediate track carrying sections for extending the dimensions of the track.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings:

As shown in Figure 1, I provide a plurality of tables I, 2, 3, and 4, and in Figure 8 I have shown intermediate tables 5 and 6 for increasing the length of the track. Each table has legs 1 pivotally connected to it so that they can be folded up when the unit is not to be used.

The tables are preferably rectangular and their outer two sides when the tables are assembled as a unit havefianges or strips 8 extending above and below the table top.

Track segments 9 are mounted on insulating cross ties Ill so that the rails are insulated from each other and from the table.

The tables I and 2 are connected together by raised or offset hinges II and the tables 3 and 4 are hinged together by similar hinges I 2. The tables I and 3 are hinged together by hinges l3 and the tables 2 and 4 by hinges I4. The hinges are of the piano type with removable pintles.

In order to maintain an electrical connection between the ends of juxtaposed rails, I provide novel means which are automatically operated when the tables are brought into horizontal alignment. A stud 15 carried by one table cooperates with a plunger IS in a recess H, the plunger being moved outwardly by a spring l8. A lever I9 pivoted at 2 is pivoted at one end to the plunger and is provided at its other end with a slot 2| into which a pin 22 extends, the pin being fixed to one of a pair of plates 23 which are connected by the bar 24. These plates slide in contact with the webs of juxtaposed rails. A stop 25 is provided to limit the movement of the plates in one direction. A transformer 26 adapted in the conventional manner to be connected with a source of electric supply has switches 21 and conductors 29 leading to and from the two rails of the track. The tables may be provided with openings 28 to receive and position the engine and the cars when they are not in use.

In Figure 8, I have shown how the length of the tracks can be expanded by the additional tables 5 and 6 having hinge portions 30, 3i, 32 and 29 to connect with the hinge portions of the tables 1, 2, 3 and 4, the tables being locked together in the manner already explained in connection with the other figures of the drawings.

In the operation, the tables are unfolded into a. horizontal as shown in Figure 1. As the tables come into their unfolded condition, the locking plungers cause the plates 23 to electrically connect the juxtaposed ends of rails of adjacent tables. The cross ties are of insulating material or are insulated from the tables in the conventional manner.

When the track unit is not to be used, the table 1egs are folded up, the engine and cars positioned in the openings 28 and the tables 3 and 4 folded over the tables I and 2. The pintles of the hinges I I and I2 may be removed, the table 3 folded over the table I, and the table 4 folded over the table 2 and thetables assembled to form a package of minimum size for storing.

The bar 24 connecting the plates 23 is of insulating material.

Havin thus described the invention, what. I.

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a collapsible table for toyv trains, a plurality of tables having foldablelegs, a track segment having its rails mounted on each table and.

2. In a collapsible table for toy trains, a plurality of rectangular tables having foldable legs and arranged in pairs with each member of a pair of tables hinged together, and With the members of one pair hinged to members of the other pair, a track segment on each table terminating near edges of its table to form a substantially continuous track, contact plates engaging webs of a pair of rails, bars of insulating:v material connecting a pair of plates; a spring pressed plunger on one table of each pair, a lever for each plunger pivoted to its plunger and having'a pin and slot connection with its bar, whereby said contact plates electrically connect juxtaposed ends of rails of the track. when the tables are in a horizontal position by movement of said plungers.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Fisher Apr. 23,1940

Number 

